After NFL and CFL Say No, UFL May Be Brendan Sorsby’s Only Option

Brendan Sorsby has been denied the opportunity to play professional football in two leagues—in addition to the NCAA—because of his gambling activities. But the UFL could still be an option. 

Last week, billionaire and UFL co-owner Mike Repole posted on X that the former Texas Tech quarterback was welcome to join the UFL—specifically the Dallas Renegades team. 

On Sunday, when Front Office Sports asked a UFL spokesperson whether Repole’s comments were reflective of the league’s official stance on his eligibility, the spokesperson simply directed FOS to Repole’s tweets.

“The UFL is the league of opportunity,” Repole wrote. “We created our Regional Player Initiative to keep great players closer to home, closer to their fans, and on the field.” He continued: “Have your people call my people!!!!!”

Repole, the billionaire founder of Vitaminwater and Body Armor purchased a stake in the spring football league through his private equity firm Impact Capital in July of 2025, making him a co-owner. His firm currently runs business operations for the league, which includes eight teams (with an expansion team in Oklahoma City set for 2028). 

In May, Sorsby admitted to engaging in years of gambling activity—and agreed to enter inpatient treatment for gambling addiction—after the NCAA notified Texas Tech that it was investigating his sports betting activity. The NCAA refused to reinstate his eligibility, so Sorsby sued for an injunction forcing the NCAA to change its decision. Though he won that injunction, the backlash he and Texas Tech received resulted in him leaving and applying to declare for the NFL supplemental draft.

But last week, the NFL informed him it would not open the supplemental draft this year. In a letter, NFL Management Council general counsel Larry Ferazani said the league did not have time to evaluate his situation between when he filed his petition and the supplemental draft deadline. The letter also noted he had not adequately taken responsibility for his actions, given that he had sued for the right to play NCAA football and didn’t make any mention of his gambling activity or the NCAA investigation in his NFL draft application.

Then, the Canadian Football League released a statement to USA Today saying the league would not grant him eligibility this year either, also citing concerns over his gambling activities. 

“Upholding the integrity of the league and ensuring fair competition are paramount to the CFL. The allegations involving Brendan Sorsby are serious and concerning,” the league told USA Today. “At this time, the CFL will not register a contract for him, and no team will be permitted to add him to its negotiation list.”

Sorsby may have one other option, however: pursuing legal action against the NFL. 

High-powered sports antitrust lawyer Jeffrey Kessler, who represents Sorsby, released a statement saying the NFL’s decision violated the league’s collective bargaining agreement, and that Sorsby would be pursuing action with the NFL Players’ Association. 

If Sorsby is unsuccessful or if he ultimately decides not to fight the league, he may be able to enter the regular NFL Draft next April.

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